Help, please: Nipples not cooperating! baby 1 wk old

[at-home]

I am here with my daughter who just had her first baby. He is one week old today and breastfeeding is not coming along as hoped. She is working with a LLL consultant, which is wonderful. Her main problem seems to be that her nipples won't become erect - or stay that way long enough for baby to latch on. Any hints on getting nipples to cooperate? she's tried the silicone nipple shields, but her baby doesn't like them at all.

[Juvysen]

If she pulls on them for like a good minute (or pump for a minute or something) it's not enough for baby to latch on?

[firewoman]

The baby needs to latch to more than just the nipple. The baby should open his/her moth wide to take in nipple and some breast tissue. Is the baby on the small side? Does she have access to an IBCLC? This shouldn't be too difficult to overcome. Help her to not get frustrated and just give it time. It will happen but I think a lac consultant is needed.

[Mosaic]

I agree that you may want to get an LC, because it may be the baby, and not her. If the baby is having trouble establishing or keeping a latch, there may be a tongue-tie or other issue going on that's worth ruling out.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Yes, an experienced LC can be the best money ever spent!